Orlistat is used for managing obesity in overweight adults. It may also be used to reduce the risk of weight regain after previous weight loss. It is used along with a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet. Orlistat is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor. It works by blocking the digestion of fats from the diet.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use Orlistat as directed by your doctor.

Take Orlistat by mouth with each meal. Do not take more than 3 capsules daily.

If a meal is missed or contains no fat, do not take a dose of Orlistat.

Orlistat may decrease your absorption of vitamins. Take a multivitamin once a day at bedtime.

If you also take a thyroid hormone (eg, levothyroxine), do not take it within 4 hours before or after taking Orlistat. Check with your doctor if you have questions.

If you also take cyclosporine, do not take it within 2 hours before or after taking Orlistat. Check with your doctor before you take Orlistat with cyclosporine.

If you miss a dose of Orlistat, take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Orlistat.

STORAGE

Store Orlistat at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Orlistat out of the reach of children.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Orlistat. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have an eating disorder (eg, anorexia, bulimia)

if you have a history of gallbladder, liver, pancreas, or thyroid problems; diabetes; or kidney stones

if you take medicine for diabetes or thyroid problems, or if you take any other medicines for weight loss

if you have received an organ transplant or if you take cyclosporine.

Some medicines may interact with Orlistat. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased by Orlistat

Amiodarone, cyclosporine, or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Orlistat.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Orlistat may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Taking more than the recommended dose may not help you lose more weight. It may increase your risk of side effects.

Proper diet and exercise are important in order to lose weight and keep it off. Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.

Orlistat may cause changes in your bowel or stool (eg, gas with oily spotting, loose stools, more frequent stools). Eating a low-fat diet may help lessen these side effects.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Orlistat before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Rarely, some patients taking Orlistat have developed severe liver problems. Contact your doctor right away if you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, unusual weakness, loss of appetite, or severe or persistent nausea.

Orlistat should not be used in children younger 18 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not take Orlistat if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. It is not known if Orlistat is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Orlistat.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: